Review Blog

Dec 22 2016

The twelve underwater days of Christmas by Kim Michelle Toft

Silkim Books, 2007. ISBN 9780975839041 hbk, ISBN 9780975839034 pbk.
Take the traditional Christmas song, add the most magnificent
creatures of the world's oceans, include important information about
those creatures and immerse the whole in the beautiful painted silk
artworks of Kim Michelle Toft and you have, quite simply, my most
favourite Christmas book ever!
Toft has used the words of 'The twelve days of Christmas' not
only to introduce readers to the dwellers of the deep, but has also
built on the traditional concept of gift-giving at this time to
emphasise what a precious present these creatures are - one that we
may not enjoy for much longer if we don't start to value it now.
'All of the magnificent creatures in this book rely on the ocean for
their survival and many were once found in abundance. This is no
longer true. Modern technology, huge increases in the world's
population and lack of management have resulted in some serious
problems. These problems include over fishing, pollution from poorly
treated sewage, effluents from oil spills, litter and global warming
which is contributing to the destruction of coral reefs all around
the world. It is up to nations, governments and the will of the
people to work together to help conserve these incredible gifts from
nature.'
Thus, as well as being a stunning visual feast, there is a serious
message that can be emphasised, enabling this book to sit well
within any sustainability curriculum. Even though students might not
be able to replicate the artworks which are hand drawn with gold
gutta on white silk then painted with brushes using silk dyes, the
concept itself might inspire a class project of those things in the
local region that might disappear if no action to preserve them is
taken.
At the end of the book is an amazing poster containing all the
creatures mentioned, and some versions have a CD
of Toft's lyrics sung by Lisa Hunt. What a wonderful song to add to
the Christmas repertoire.
Toft always writes and illustrates about her passion - the
preservation of ocean life - and you can see all her publications online.
She is one who must have a place on your library's shelves - school
or home.
Barbara Braxton